Control assembly



Oct. 31, 1944.

E. W. BATTERSON com-n01, ASSEMBLY [med Sept. 17, 1942 3747/!4 I04 I 74 la Patented Oct. 31, 1944 CONTROL ASSEMBLY Ernest W. Batterson, Kalamazoo, Mich, assignor to Shakespeare Products Company, Kalamazoo, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application September 17, 1942, Serial No. 458,740

, 4 Claims.

This invention relates, generally, to improvements in controls for engines or motors, such, for example, as are employed to propel airplanes, and, more particularly, the invention relates to improvements in installation of electrical circuit closing means operable without interference with the eflicient or normal operation of an equipped control, whereby satisfactory radio communication may be effected by the airplane pilot and, at the same time, permit such pilot to effect and maintain complete and uninterrupted attendance to the manipulation of the primary engine control.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide means which will enable the pilot or operator, whose vehicle motor primary control is equipped therewith, to effect collective or independent operation of the radio microphone circuit closing means and said motor primary control without loss of or interference with vehicle control or communication efficiency.

I am aware that devices such as above generally characterized have been produced and used, whereby, in illustration, an airplane pilot is enabled to, with one handed operation, open the microphone circuit of the airplane radio communication apparatus in order to eliminate, to the greatest possible extent, engine, propeller and other foreign noises and disturbances at that or those times when he is listening for or to incoming radio intelligence or signals, and at the same time, effectually manipulate or operate the engin primary control. However, the electrical installation of this equipment is such that it cannot well or conveniently be disconnected or removed from equipped controls for replacement or repair without the expenditure of considerable time, which, during conditions of emergency, or where time is of the essence, is highly undesirable.

Through the medium of my invention, it is entirely possible and practicable to disconnect and, if necessary, remove the electrical circuit closing installation and wiring associated therewith for repair or replacement with but a minimum of effort and/or labor expenditure in a comparatively short period of time. The advantages of such an installation, particularly, when utilized under the stress of mergency or like conditions, are obvious.

Other objects of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In order that, the invention and its mode of operation may be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains, I have, in the accompanying drawing and the detailed description based thereupon, set out several embodiments of my invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a control equipped With the invention. I

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section, with parts broken away, taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction in which the arrows point.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2, looking in the direction in which the arrows point; and

Figure4 is a fragmentary detail in vertical sections through a slightly modified form of spacer element and mounting hub.

Having more particular reference to the drawing, in connection with which like characters of .reference will designate corresponding parts throughout, I have shown, for purposes of illustration, my invention as applied to a type of control wherein the numerals l and 2 indicate the front and back plates or control mountings fixedly received upon a sleeve-like hub 3, pivotally mounting relatively spaced and different types of control levers 4 and 4, whose normally outer or free ends ar equipped with the usual knobs 5. Circular or ring-like spacer elements designated by the numerals 6 and 1, are mounted upon the hub 3 between the pivotally mounted and inner extremities of the various control levers 4 and 4', while-friction disks 8 and 9 are arranged between the adjacent sides of said spacer elements and the levers 4 and 4, as shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing.

Usual arcuate guides, generally indicated by the numeral ID, are provided at the upper portions of the front and back plates or control mountings I and. 2 and, obviously, serve to guide or direct the control levers 4 and 4 through predetermined paths of travel during their respective adjust ments or operations; tie bolts, generally designated by the numeral H, being passed through appropriate portions of the plates 1 and 2 and the guides III to effect their relative and fixed interconnection.

An elongated stud I2 is engaged through the hub 3 and centrally with or through a screw threaded retainer l3 engaged in a complementally screw threaded portion of said hub adjacent the back plate 2, while a supporting insert or disk I4 is snugly engaged in the "opposite end of said hub and receives the adjacent end portion of said stud therethrough, whereupon a spider-like spring securing device 15 is engaged over the outwardly extended end of the stud and is locked thereupon and in engagement with adjacent portions of the outer or juxtaposed friction disk 8 by means of a locking nut l6 turned into screw threaded engagement with said end of the stud l2.

A cover plate 17 is arranged over the outer side of the front plate or control mounting I and, as shown in th Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing, is fixed in such position by reason of its engagement with the adjacent end portions of the tie bolts I i.

The control lever is preferably constructed of a single piece of longitudinally slotted mate rial having combined covering and stiiiening plates 4 engaged with its opposite sides and over the longitudinal slot therein. Thus, an effectual way and housing is provided the electrical conductors i8 passing loosely therethrough into engagement with push button actuated electrical circuit closing means arranged in its knob and shown, in Figure 2, on dotted lines generally designated by the numeral 19; the circuit closing push button being designated at 2Q. Oppositely disposed opening or ways 2i are formed in the inner portion of the control lever A (primary or motor throttle control lever) for a purpose which will be presently apparent.

The spacer elements 6, as will be noted upon reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing, are of substantially cross-sectionally U- shaped formation, with their open sides upwardly facing. The spacer element I is also of substantially U-shaped cross-sectional formation; how ever, its open portion is inwardly facing, i. e., the channel provided therein and thereabout by such U-shaped, cross-sectional formation opens onto one side lace thereof, as is also well shown in Figure 2. Moreover, it will be noted that the arrangement of this open side of the channel or way in the spacer element 1 coincides with an arcuate slotlfiI formed in the adjacent friction disk 9, likewise, that the aforesaid ways 2| in the primary control lever l coincide with the arcuate slot '2! of said disk 9 and the channel of said ring-like spacer element '1.

Relatively spaced radially disposed bifurcated lugs 22 are integrally formed upon or fixedly secured to peripheral portions of the spacer element 3, while an electrical connection receiving and supporting shell or bracket 23 is integral with an opposite peripheral portion, as illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawing; said shell or bracket having an axially disposed way through its face, indicated at 24, communicating with the channel of the spacer element 1. A suitable type of electrical connection, generally indicated at 25, is engaged with the outer end of the shell or bracket 23 and is equipped with the usual contact terminals 26 and connector engaging fingers 2 The spacer element I, when in that position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, ha the lowermost of its bifurcated lugs 22 engaged with an adjacent portion of the near tie bolt Ii and thus, is securely locked against rotary movement. When in such position, it will be noted that the shell or electrical bracket element 23 is arranged or disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and is extended for a distance beyond the adjacent ends of the front and back plates 5 and 2 respectively, hence, insuring its convenient arrangement or location to facilitate detachable engagement of an ordinary type of electrical plug connection or element in the connection and with the fingers 22'.

The electrical conductors l8 which are loosely engaged in and through the primary control lever 4, as will be noted upon reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawing, have certain of their ends connected to the aforesaid contact terminal 28, whereupon said conductors are passed through the way 24 of the bracket element 23 into and loosely about the channel of the spacer element 7, thence laterally from the same through the arcuate slot 2| of the friction disk 9 and through the adjacent way or opening 2| of the primary control lever 4 into and through the same (see Figure 2) into electrical engagement with appropriate contact terminals of the electrical circuit closing device I9, adapted to be actuated or controlled by the push button 20.

Should it become desirable or necessary to have the shell-like element or bracket 23 arranged adjacent the opposite sides of the plates I and 2 (opposite to its position shown in Figure l), the position of said spacer element is reversed, i. e., it is interchanged with the spacer element 6 adjacent the opposite side of the primary control lever 4. In such position, the bracket 23 will then be arranged adjacent the opposite side of said plates I and 2 and the previously idle or unused bifurcated lug 22 will now be engaged with or by the previously described tie bolt II.

In event that repair or replacement of a primary control lever equipped with the invention becomes necessary, or should it become necessary to repair or replace the electrical connec-,

tions and their associated elements, it Will be seen that the electrical connection between the conductors l8 and the detachably connected conductors (not shown) engaging or connected with the fingers 27, may be readily disconnected and the necessary repairs or replacement then rapidly and conveniently made without disturbing or disrupting that particular apparatus previously connected to the same.

In usage of a primary control lever equipped with the invention, it may be stated that the airplane pilot or other operator usually actuates said primary control lever with his left hand,

thu leaving his right and remaining hand free for other work, as for example, the operation of equilibrium controls of the equipped airplane, and the adjustment of many and various devices and apparatus now associated with the successful operation of an airplane. Assuming this, the pilots left hand is engaged with the knob 5 of the primary control lever 4. He moves this lever through an arc of travel whereby to increase or decrease the supply of fuel to the engine or motor controlled thereby. Simultaneously with such manipulation or operation of the primar control lever 4 and while the pilots left hand is engaged with its knob 5, he may at will, or as required, depress the push button 20 of the electrical circuit closing means I9, thus closing the radio communication microphone circuit and in so doing, transmit radio intelligence by speaking or otherwise signalling into the microphone. Usually, when such intelligence is transmitted, the primary control lever is moved to a position to decrease the rate of speed of the equipped motor and hence, reduce foreign or outside noises to minimum, and enabling a distant receiving station to efficiently receive the same. When the pilot releases pressure upon the push button 20 of the circuit closing means IS, the microphone circuit will be instantly opened and thus, will enable greater satisfaction to be obtained in the reception of incoming radio intelligence or conversation.

At this point it may be noted that the electrical conductors I8 received in and through the control lever 4' and the laterally opening channel of the spacer element 1, hereinbefore described,

are so arranged therein as to have suflicient slack to permit pivotal movement or adjustment of the control lever 4' throughout its entire range of travel, without unduly stressing or disturbing their connections with the contact terminals of either the circuit closing means [9 or the electrical connector 25.

Referring now to the modified form of my invention illustrated in Figure 4, the reference numeral 3' indicates a sleeve-like hub, somewhat shorter than the hub 3 described in the preceding embodiment of the invention upon which but two control levers 4 and 4 are pivotally mounted. A stud is engaged through the hub 3' and centrally with or through a screw threaded retainer element [3 received in a complementally screw threaded adjacent portion of said hub, while a spider-like spring securing device is received over the outwardly extended end of such stud and is secured thereto in engagement with adjacent portions of the outer or juxtaposed friction disk by means of a locking nut I6 turned into engagement with its appropriately screw threaded end portion. Friction disks 9' are arranged adjacent certain of the sides or inner end portions of the levers 4 and 4 as shown in said Figure 4 and one thereof, i. e., the friction disk adjacent the slotted lower or inner end of the lever 4 is formed with an arcuate slot communicating with said slotted portion of the control lever M. An annular spacer element l is arranged or engaged about the outer periphery of the hub 3' and is positioned between the relatively facing sides of the control levers 4 and 4 The diameter of this annular spacer element 1 as will be noted, is greater than that of the hub 3; hence, will be arranged in relatively spaced relation thereto. In order that said spacer element I will be firmly secured or retained in substantially parallel spaced relationship to the hub 3', right angularly disposed annular shoulders or ribs 1 are formed in, upon and about the inner parallel surface of the same ,spaced inwardly from the opposite margins or sides thereof. These annular shoulders or ribs 1, as will be noted upon reference to Figure 4 of the drawings, have substantially telescopic engagement within the relatively spaced friction disks 9', so that opposite sides of said spacer element 1 are provided with seating engagement upon the outer edges or peripheries of such friction disks 9. Because of such construction, it will be observed that a chamber is provided for electrical conductors I8, which, as in the instance of the preferred embodiment of the invention, extend or are passed longitudinally through the control lever 4 into engagement with electrical circuit closing means (not shown in this figure). Moreover, because of the juxtaposition of the arcuate slot, aforesaid, in one of the friction disks 9' and the slotted inner end of the control lever 4 it will be observed that a way or passageway is provided in order that the electrical conductors [8' may be extended from the chamber thus constituted by the spacer element l into and through the control lever 4 If desired, though not necessary, th hub 3' may be provided with transversely or circumferentially disposed slot or way 28 and an opening adapted to be closed by a plug or like device 29, in order that, under certain conditions of usage, relatively different arrangement or disposition of the electrical conductors l8 may be effected; i. e., instead of being arranged or positioned in the chamber afforded by the spacer element l seated on the outer peripheral portions of the friction disks 9', they may be extended into the hub 3 via slot 28 and from said hub through the opening normally closed by the plug 29 into engagement with the electrical connection elements (not shown in Figure 4) with which the supporting shell or bracket 23, shown in Figure l, is equipped.

I claim:

1. A control device, including a mounting plate, a hub on said plate, a lever mounted on the hub having a longitudinally disposed way in and throughout the same, th inner end of said way opening onto the opposite sides of said lever adjacent its mounting on said hub, a spacer element having a laterally opening electrical conductor receiving channel formed in and extending about the same communicating with the open inner end of the way in said lever, means on said spacer element immovably connecting the same to said mounting plate, and electrical connector means on said spacer element spaced from its point of communication with the Way in said lever and from the means immovably connecting said element to the mounting plate.

2. A control device, including a mounting plate, a hub on said plate, a lever mounted on the hub having a longitudinally disposed way therein, laterally opening onto its inner end portion, a friction disk on the hub having an arcuate slot therein adjacent to and communicating with the laterally opening way in said lever, a spacer element on the hub adjacent said friction disk having a laterally opening electrical conductor receiving channel formed in and extending about the same communicating with the arcuate slot in said friction disk, means on said spacer element immovably connecting said element to said mounting plate, and electrical connector means on the spacer element spaced from its point of communication with the arcuate slot of said friction disk and spaced from said last mentioned means.

3. A control device, including a mounting plate, a hub on said plate, a lever mounted on the hub having a substantially longitudinally disposed electrical conductor receiving way therein opening onto and communicating with the sides of that portion of the same mounted on the hub, a spacer engaged about said hub in proximity to one side of the hub mounted portion of said lever having an electrical conductor receiving way formed in and extending thereabout opening onto that side of the same adjacent the mounted portion of said lever and communicating With the longitudinally disposed way in the latter, and an electrical connector means on said spacer communicatin with the way formed therein.

4. A control device, including a mounting plate, a hub on said plate, a lever mounted on the hub having a substantially longitudinally disposed electrical conductor receiving way therein opening onto and communicating with the sides of that portion of the same mounted on the hub, a friction disk on the hub having an arcuate slot therein communicating with the longitudinally disposed way in said lever, a spacer engaged about said hub adjacent said friction disk having an electrical conductor receiving way in and extending about the same opening onto that side thereof adjacent said friction disk and communicating with the arcuate slot in the latter, and an electrical connector means on said spacer communicating with the way formed therein.

ERNEST w. BATTERSON. 

